Create overlay settings

Last updated on Apr 1, 2026

Learn to configure metadata displays on monitors to view timecodes, markers, and edit indicators during playback in Adobe Premiere.

Overlay settings control which metadata appears on your Source Monitor and Program Monitor, helping you track timecodes, markers, and edit points without leaving your workspace.

Overlay settings apply to both Source Monitor and Program Monitor in Composite Video display mode. You can customize which metadata fields appear and where they display, then save configurations as presets for quick switching between layouts. Overlays remain synchronized with the playhead position and update automatically as you scrub through clips or sequences.

Before configuring overlays, ensure your monitor is set to Composite Video display mode, as overlays do not appear in other display modes.

Configure overlay display options

Select the wrench icon in the Program Monitor or Source Monitor.

Select Overlays to turn on overlay display.

Select Overlay Settings > Settings to open the Overlay Settings dialog box.

Choose metadata fields from the available options including Source Timecode, Sequence Timecode, or Marker comments.

Overlay Settings dialog showing a dropdown with overlay options including Source Timecode, Sequence Timecode, and Markers.
Select a metadata option such as Source Timecode, Sequence Timecode, or Clip Name to display as an overlay.

Configure text size using the Text Size dropdown to control overlay legibility.

Adjust the Opacity slider to balance overlay visibility against your footage.

Select Enable overlays during playback to display overlays while playing footage.

Select Enable overlays for transmit to send overlays to an external monitor.

Tip

When working with multi-camera sequences, you can display up to two metadata properties simultaneously in Multi-Camera View mode by selecting them in the Overlay Settings dialog box.

Save overlay settings as presets

Configure your desired overlay settings in the Overlay Settings dialog box.

Select the Save Preset   icon at the top of the dialog box.

Enter a descriptive name for your preset.

Select Save to create the preset.

Access saved presets from the Preset dropdown menu in the Overlay Settings dialog box or through Overlay Settings > Settings in the Program Monitor menu.